Abstract

After many years in IT industry I have personally experienced and learned from other’s experience that; it’s up to us that how someone can make us feel about our self. In my long tenure in IT industry there is not a situation I have not been through. Today, I thought of providing some insight and share some common issues and counter approaches to those.

Note

Be informed that I didn’t mean to target any person or group or a title or role in IT industry. All the points below are my personal experiences and what I keep hearing from my connections in various continents across the globe.

I hope you will be able to read between the lines and apply some of the suggestions and work on building a better career.

My wish for you

I do wish all the success and happiness to all of you, and I really do. I also wish that you have a great future and career path.

# Learning from Past Resolution for New Year 2016
1 Don’t sit late in office. When you do that, you encourage wrong expectations. However, there are always exceptions. Reach the office on time and leave the office on time. This will allow you to spend time on yourself or with family. Be aware that sometimes critical deliverable, production issues, etc. may push you to start early and finish late.
2 Don’t be afraid of losing job and live with this fear year after year. Always remember that companies need good resources, so your job is to bring value to the company and team and stop worrying about it.
3 Be nice but not weak Don’t encourage bossy behavior in the team from anyone. Be nice and polite, but stay strong at the same time.
4 You say “YES,” when actually you wanted to say “NO.” Listen, plan, and then act accordingly. Even if you have to say “Yes”  then understand the expectations before you commit on such a task.
5 Asked to work on an unrealistic deadline Your hard work bring value to company and team. Many times working on tight and critical deadlines require a lot of planning, dedication and focus. Be ready to go above and beyond and if this is not your cup of tea, then let your superior know.
6 All your work’s credit was either stolen or given to others. Make sure that your work is properly recognized and appreciated. Don’t allow anyone, I mean anyone, to steal the credit of your GREAT work and white label that with their name.
7 You don’t think proactively and plan your career. Come out of this “job” mindset and think more in terms of  a long term career.
8 You learned nothing, or very little. Learn the technology of your focus area;  this year buy more books and read at least 50% of each book(s) you have.
9 You didn’t focus on your weaknesses. If you know your weaknesses, then work on those this year. A little progress on a daily basis will reap great results.
10 You don’t have a link with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a good social media resource to connect with like-minded people, join technology groups and read articles etc.
11 You have no time after your job. I would agree that you must have been very busy with office work. I suggest that stop time-management; instead, manage your focus this year.

Shift your focus from job to career, and every day when you go to work, look for what will help you build your career.

12 Everything is good and you are comfortable. Remember, the enemy of the best is not the worst, it’s what is merely good. So if you think you are doing well and you’re comfortable then you are at the wrong place, and this comfort zone is a sweet poison. So seek knowledge, challenges, and growth in your career.

Seek challenges in your current role, try to learn what it takes to own/observe more responsibilities.

* Learning Resources Read More Career Related Articles Here…
Listen Career Realated Podcasts Here…

 Summary

Based on above points, I trust that all of the points may or may not be applicable to everyone and it would rather be case to case basis; and upon self-realization of an individual. Hence, I do suggest that use this information as a tool and seek if you can get benefited. It’s very important that you read between the lines and get the right context from each suggestion I have provided.